Northern California’s favorite alt-rock/pop punk trio StrateJacket are thrilled to share the official video for “Bad Start,” the track itself is the band’s current radio single and it’s also the title track for their upcoming debut album Bad Start (release date_:_ October 11, 2024 via EDGEOUT). The single was originally featured on EA Sports’ NHL24 Soundtrack in tandem with NHL24’s Playlist last year.

Lyrically embracing the misguided efforts of “being an idiot but meaning well,” the band leans into this trope for the video, acting out and poking fun of the different school stereotypes that don’t get along with each other. Still in their early twenties, they slid back into their high school days playing different roles – the jock by Fabian Angel, vocals/bass and the nerd by Nate Mangold, drums, both struggle to understand the concept illustrated in the lyrics of “’a small brain + big heart + shut mouth = bad start.’ With the help of their professor (Jackson Roemers, lead vocals/guitar), both Jock and Nerd overcome their differences by bonding over their shared interest of music. “’Bad Start’ is the first professionally done music video with the help of our amazing director Laisha Lizarraga,” Angel says. “We had an amazing crew help us out with the music video, all their shared devotion on filmmaking allowed for an amazing music video to be made. We hope you guys all get a kick out of it.”

The ”Bad Start” video comes on the heels of the band’s newly released self-titled EP StrateJacket which features the aforementioned single as well as the ultra-melodic “Be My Drug,” a track that explores the highs and lows/push and pull similarities between what being in love and being on drugs can feel like. Joining those two songs on the band’s upcoming album is their newest single “End of Time,” a chant-ready fight song that was originally fashioned to showcase solos for each band member to take their own solos as nod to their heroes The Who on “My Generation,” and add “Hey! Hey! Hey” refrains to the song. All these songs overflow with dark humor and contain the sort of electric energy that has hyper-charged the Bay Area’s punk and alternative scenes for decades.

StrateJacket’s journey to their debut album has been marked by unwavering determination, even during the darkest days of the pandemic lockdown. Unsure when they’d play another gig, they persevered, unsure if they would secure a record deal or make an album. Yet, they maintained optimism and hope, overcoming every obstacle. Their resilience has seen them grow from humble Bay Area venues to playing at prestigious festivals like SXSW, Welcome to Rockville, and Omaha’s KIWR’s Summer Bash in 2024. They are set to play even more festivals across the US this year, such as Sacramento’s Aftershock Festival in October. Looking back at StrateJacket’s origins, it’s clear they didn’t get such a bad start after all.

StrateJacket recorded the album at Vancouver’s Armoury Studios in November of 2022. They worked with the Juno/BMI-winning Canadian producer/songwriter Brian Howes (Hinder, Skillet, Boys Like Girls) to bring their vision to life. The band also secured Grammy® winning Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Muse, Prince) to mix the tunes, ensuring a high-quality sound that matches their musical ambitions.

StrateJacket’s debut album – Bad Start – will be released on October 11, 2024 via EDGEOUT/UMG/UMe. The band’s video for “Bad Start” is out now.

Live shows:
August 23 – Cupertino, CA @ The X Bar
September 6 – Menlo Park, CA @  The Guild Theatre (Local Sound Series)
September 23 – New Orleans, LA @ WZRH Event (with Judah & The Lion)
October 10 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock Festival